U.S. patent application number 16/664261 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-20 for non-aspirating transport gel dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bradley A. BAAN, Nancy-Hope E. KAISER, Daniel ROCHETTE.
Application Number | 20200055662 16/664261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58634358 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200055662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAISER; Nancy-Hope E. ; et
al. |
February 20, 2020 |
NON-ASPIRATING TRANSPORT GEL DISPENSER
Abstract
A non-aspirating dispenser containing a gel therein for delivery
to a desired surface such as a medical article. More specifically,
a gel that is dispensed in the form of droplets that are free of
air or a gas therein and with reduced drift potential. The
dispenser has a container having a flexible bag therein enclosing a
thixotropic gel, and has a pressurized gas that is capable of
exerting pressure on the bag and forcing the gel out of said bag in
a steady stream upon pressing an actuator that is operatively
connected to an ejection valve. The bag is free of propellants, and
does not produce an aerosol. The gel is thixotropic and is utilized
for keeping medical instruments moist in order to prevent soils
present thereon from drying out, which can make reprocessing of
medical instruments more difficult and less effective. The
dispenser implemented at a point of use for transport or prior to
delayed reprocessing in the reprocessing area.
Inventors: |
KAISER; Nancy-Hope E.;
(Pontoon Beach, IL) ; ROCHETTE; Daniel; (Quebec,
CA) ; BAAN; Bradley A.; (Eureka, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY |
Mentor |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58634358 |
Appl. No.: |
16/664261 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14929697 |
Nov 2, 2015 |
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16664261 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/752 20130101;
B65D 83/62 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/62 20060101
B65D083/62; B65D 83/14 20060101 B65D083/14 |
Claims
1. An ergonomic friendly non-aspirating dispenser for ejecting a
thixotropic gel, comprising: a dispenser, said dispenser having
walls forming a container and a flexible bag therein, a non-bag
volume located between said dispenser walls and said flexible bag,
said dispenser adapted to eject a thixotropic gel in the form of
non-aspirated, reduced drift, non-foam gel, droplets having a mean
volume diameter from about 80 to about 500 microns, formed by said
thixotropic gel located in said flexible bag and having a viscosity
of from about 100 to about 1,500 centipoises, a pressurized gas in
said non-bag volume of from about 25 to about 50 psi, and with said
flexible bag having a volume of from about 65% to about 90% based
on the total volume of said dispenser container; said non-bag
volume being substantially free of a propellant, a volatilizable
liquid, or a foam forming gas, or any combination thereof; and said
dispenser having a valve operatively connected to said flexible bag
so that upon opening said valve said pressurized gas will
continuously force said thixotropic gel out of said flexible bag
and said dispenser container in the form of said non-aspirated
droplets.
2. The non-aspirating dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said
viscosity of said thixotropic gel is from about 150 to less than
1,500 centipoises.
3. The non-aspirating dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said
mean volume diameter of said droplets is from about 150 to about
400 microns.
4. The non-aspirating dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said
thixotropic gel comprises cellulose, hydrophobically modified
cellulose, guar gum, quaternized guar gum, alginate, or cationated
alginate comprising calcium, magnesium, or sodium cations, or any
combination thereof; and wherein the amount of any propellant,
volatilizable liquid, or a foam forming gas, or any combination
thereof in said pressurized gas is less than about 5% of said
non-bag volume.
5. The non-aspirating dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said
pressurized gas comprises air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen, or any
combination thereof; and wherein the amount of any said propellant,
volatizable liquid, or a foam forming gas, or any combination
thereof in said pressurized gas is less than about 3% by volume of
said non-bag volume.
6. The non-aspirating dispenser of claim 5, wherein said mean
volume diameter of said droplets is about 250 microns; and wherein
the volume of said bag is from about 65% to about 80% based upon
the total volume of said dispenser container.
7. The dispenser of claim 1 that is capable of applying said
thixotropic gel to a medical instrument.
8. The dispenser of claim 4 that is capable of applying said
thixotropic gel to a medical instrument.
9. The dispenser of claim 6 that is capable of applying said
thixotropic gel to a medical instrument.
10. A process for dispensing a non-aspirated gel, comprising the
steps of: obtaining a dispenser having walls forming a container
and a flexible bag therein, a non-bag volume located between said
dispenser walls and said flexible bag; a thixotropic gel having a
viscosity of from about 100 to about 1,500 centipoises located in
said flexible bag, said non-bag volume having from about 25 to
about 50 psi of a pressurized gas therein, said flexible bag having
a volume of from about 65% to about 90% based upon the total volume
of said dispenser container, said non-bag volume being
substantially free of a propellant, a volatilizable liquid, or a
foam-forming gas, or any combination thereof, said dispenser having
a valve, an actuator operatively connected to said valve and to a
nozzle; activating said actuator and flowing said thixotropic gel
therethrough and through said nozzle, and ejecting said thixotropic
gel in the form of non-aspirated, reduced drift, non-foam gel,
droplets having a mean volume diameter of from about 80 to about
500 microns.
11. The process of claim 10, wherein the amount of any propellant,
a volatizable liquid, or a foam forming gas, or any combination
thereof, in said pressurized gas is less than about 5% by volume
based upon the total volume of said non-bag volume.
12. The process of claim 11, wherein said viscosity of said
thixotropic gel is from about 150 to less than 1,500 centipoises;
and wherein the amount of any said propellant, said volatizable
liquid, or said foam forming gas, or any combination thereof in
said pressurized gas is less than about 3% by volume based upon the
total volume of said non-bag volume,
13. The process of claim 12, wherein said bag volume is from about
65% to about 80% based upon the total volume of said dispenser
container; wherein said mean volume diameter of said droplets is
from about 100 to about 450 microns; and wherein said pressurized
gas comprises air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen, or any combination
thereof.
14. The process of claim 13, wherein said mean volume diameter of
said droplets is from about 150 to about 400 microns; wherein said
amount of said propellant, said volatizable liquid, or said foam
forming gas, or any combination thereof in said pressurized gas is
none; and wherein said thixotropic gel comprises cellulose,
hydrophobically modified cellulose, guar gum, quaternized guar gum,
alginate, or cationated alginate comprising calcium, magnesium, or
sodium cations, or any combination thereof.
15. The process of claim 10, including releasing said non-aspirated
thixotropic droplets on an instrument, or soil, or any combination
thereof.
16. The process of claim 12, including releasing said non-aspirated
thixotropic droplets on a medical instrument, or a soil, or any
combination thereof.
17. The process of claim 14, including releasing said non-aspirated
thixotropic droplets on a medical instrument, or a soil, or any
combination thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a non-aspirating dispenser
containing a gel therein for delivery to a desired surface such as
a medical article. More specifically, the invention relates to a
gel that is dispensed in the form of droplets that are free of air
or a gas therein and with reduced drift potential. The dispenser
comprises a container having a flexible bag therein enclosing a
thixotropic gel, and comprising pressurized gas that is capable of
exerting pressure on said bag and forcing said gel out of said bag
in a steady stream upon pressing an actuator that is operatively
connected to an ejection valve. The bag is free of propellants, and
does not produce an aerosol. The gel is thixotropic and is utilized
for keeping medical instruments moist in order to prevent soils
present thereon from drying out, which can make reprocessing of
medical instruments more difficult and less effective. This
invention can be implemented at a point of use for transport or
prior to delayed reprocessing in the reprocessing area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typical spray bottles or containers dispense liquids or
foams via a mechanical trigger that requires continual pumping
thereof to dispense a sprayed product. Since very small amounts of
product are dispensed with each pump, numerous pumps are required
to adequately cover a surface. The same often exhausts the user and
becomes an ergonomic issue in that in spraying numerous surfaces,
articles, etc., can require a person to take a break or rest.
[0003] Moreover, various dispensers, such as a spray bottle, eject
a fluid via aspiration such that an aerosol mist is formed. These
dispensers are undesirable in sterile situations since the air
pulled in by the aspirator can be from a contaminated environment.
Moreover, the aerosol droplets are small and hence driftable such
that they can be carried into an adjacent sterile environment and
contaminate the same. Liquid-based instrument transport products
are to be avoided as they require filled containers or basins to
cover all instrument surfaces and thus increase weight and sloshing
of transported items.
[0004] Various other dispensers contain a sprayable liquid in
association with propellants such as volatile hydrocarbons, e.g.
butane, propane, or fluorocarbon gases that can pose flammable or
toxic problems.
[0005] Examples of specific dispensers include the following:
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,945, issued Jul. 11, 2000. A distributor
for a product under pressure has a receptacle which defines a
receiving volume. A valve having a springy press-on valve shaft and
a non-return valve part is mounted on the receptacle. A passage
through which the valve shaft may communicate with the receiving
volume is provided. A valve seating section is arranged such that
the passage is closed off when the valve shaft is in a rest
position and is open when the valve shaft is pressed on. A flexible
bag which defines an interior space is provided within the
receptacle with the valve seating section outside the bag, and the
bag is connected to the valve shaft by the non-return valve part
such that flow of a pressurized medium may flow through the valve
shaft toward the interior space, but reverse flow is blocked. Flow
of pressurized medium out of or into the receptacle through the
valve shaft may be obtained without releasing pressure from the
pressurized bag.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,943 B2, issued Sep. 23, 2003. Disclosed
is a method of shaving hair by spraying a shaving preparation
directly onto an area of skin to form a dispersed layer of the
shaving preparation without the need for hand spreading and shaving
the area with a razor. Also disclosed is a dispensing apparatus for
spraying a shaving preparation directly onto an area of skin to be
shaved. The shaving preparation may be an aerosol or a non-aerosol
shaving preparation.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,726 B2, issued Jan. 27, 2004. The
invention is directed to a self-foaming shaving composition in the
form of a lotion. The shaving composition comprises water, a water
dispersible surface active agent capable of forming a lather, a
volatile self-foaming agent, and a water soluble thickening agent
wherein the composition is in the form of a self-foaming lotion
having an elastic modulus (G') of about 100 to about 1000 Pascals,
preferably about 200 to about 900 Pa, most preferably about 400 to
about 800 Pa (measured with a rheometer at frequency 1 Hz,
oscillatory stress range 0.01-1.0 Pa, temperature 5 DEG C., Gap
1000 microns). The present invention is also directed to an
improved shaving method in which a shaving composition of the
present invention is applied to an area of skin, and then said area
is shaved, preferably with a wet razor.
[0009] U.S. Pat. 7,909,264 B2, issued Mar. 22, 2011. A discharge
device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere is
proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an
evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow
rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of
the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The
evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed
preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is
increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on
the evaporation surface.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 8,668,899 B2, issued Mar. 11, 2014. A
sprayable polymeric foam hemostat for both compressible and
non-compressible (intracavitary) acute wounds is disclosed. The
foam comprises hydrophobically-modified polymers, such as
hm-chitosan, or other amphiphilic polymers that anchor themselves
within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. By
rapidly expanding upon being released from a canister pressurized
with liquefied gas propellant, the foam is able to enter injured
body cavities and staunch bleeding. The seal created is strong
enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood from these
cavities. Hydrophobically-modified polymers supposedly prevent
microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required
during normal wound metabolism. The amphiphilic polymers form solid
gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting
mechanism that prevent loss of blood.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 8,876,020 B2, issued Nov. 4, 2014. A sprayable
hydrogel wound dressing composed of an aqueous solution of
neutralized Carbopol and silver hydrosol of silver nanoparticles
electrolytically formed from silver metal without the use or
inclusion of organic materials. The hydrogel is sprayed with a
physical barrier sprayer system which separates the hydrogel from
the propellant. The hydrogel is thixotropic/shear thinning so that
the viscosity of the hydrogel is sufficient reduced in the sprayer
to allow spray formation and regains sufficient viscosity to resist
running when deposited on a vertical surface.
[0012] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0218845 A1,
published Sep. 2, 2010. One embodiment relates to a system
including a first bag-on-valve aerosol container including a first
valve comprising a first valve stem, and a body having an aperture
extending therethrough from a first end of the body to a second end
of the body. The aperture is sized to accept the first valve stem
at the first end of the body. The aperture is also sized to accept
a second valve stem at the second end of the body; the body sized
to accept the first valve stem and a second valve stem at the same
time.
[0013] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0071581 A1,
published Mar. 22, 2012. Additive combinations for various products
allow the product to be dispensed from a BOV aerosol dispensing
arrangement.
[0014] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0345647 A1,
published Dec. 26, 2013. Devices and methods for dispensing a
fluidly dispensable material under pressure but without using a gas
propellant are presented. In some embodiments an elastic sleeve is
utilized to impart pressure to a bag of dispensable material
positioned within the sleeve. Pressure so created pressurizes
contents of the bag, which can then be dispensed through a valve.
Methods for manufacturing various embodiments are presented.
[0015] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0187469 A1,
published Jul. 3, 2014. An aqueous formulation for dispensing as a
spray polymeric microcapsules containing at least one active
ingredient, the aqueous formulation comprising: (i) water; (ii)
polymeric microcapsules having an oil-soluble core containing the
at least one active ingredient; (iii) a cross linked acrylic acid
co-polymer; (iv) a neutralizing amine for activating the cross
linked acrylic acid copolymer to form a gel suspension for the
polymeric microcapsules whereby the polymeric microcapsules are
suspended in the water; (v) a chelant for protecting the aqueous
formulation against destabilization by excessive metal ions; and
(vi) an inhibitor for inhibiting bacterial growth in the water.
[0016] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0056149 A1,
published Feb. 26, 2015. A topical therapeutic hydrophobic
breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60%
to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at
least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group
consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a
tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the
tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the
viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the
viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and
is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the
tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents. The
tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least
six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not
broken down. The composition is packaged as a breakable foam that
breaks easily upon application of shear force.
[0017] In view of the above, there is a need for a non-aspirating,
non-propellant dispenser for dispensing a moisturizing thixotropic
gel contained in a flexible bag in a pressurized gas container with
the gel having a relatively high viscosity and the formed droplets
being of a size that reduces drift potential.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a
non-aspirating dispenser for ejecting a thixotropic gel.
[0019] It is another aspect of the present invention wherein the
dispenser contains a flexible bag containing the gel with the bag
located in a container having a non-flammable,
non-hydrocarbon-based compressed gas therein.
[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide
non-foam gel droplets.
[0021] It is yet another aspect of the present invention that the
dispenser does not require priming but continuously dispenses the
gel in droplet form upon pushing an actuator to provide
non-priming, aerosol-free droplets for use in the medical field as
for keeping instruments moist, in order to prevent soils thereon
from drying out. Soil that has been allowed to dry can make
reprocessing of medical instruments more difficult and less
effective.
[0022] Accordingly, one aspect of the invention relates to a
non-aspirating dispenser for a transport gel, comprising: a
thixotropic gel; said thixotropic gel having a viscosity of less
than about 2,000 centipoises; said dispenser having walls forming a
container and a flexible bag therein, said bag containing said
thixotropic gel; a non-bag volume located between said dispenser
walls and said flexible bag, said non-bag volume having a
pressurized gas therein, said non-bag volume being substantially
free of a propellant, a volatilizable liquid, or a foam forming
gas, or any combination thereof; said dispenser having a valve, an
actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator upon
activation thereof being capable of opening said valve so that said
pressurized gas will exert pressure on said bag and force said
thixotropic gel out of said dispenser container in the form of
non-aspirated droplets; and said droplets having a mean volume
diameter that reduces drift potential.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 relates to a cross-section elevation view of a
non-aspirating dispenser of the present invention wherein a
container contains a bag having a gel therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Ergonomic friendly dispenser 10 of the present invention
comprises an actuator 24. Actuator 24 is connected in any
conventional manner such as through disconnectable valve 30 to
dispenser container 40. The container contains a flexible bag 45
therein that through disconnectable valve 30 can be filled with a
desired thixotropic gel of the present invention. Dispenser,
container 40 can be in the shape of a cylinder or other suitable
form and made of a pressure resistant material such as a metal, for
example steel or aluminum or a plastic, such as Polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). Bag 45 contains a thixotropic gel 50 therein.
Non-bag or internal volume 47 located between bag 45 and dispenser
container walls 40 contains a compressed eco-gas therein such as
nitrogen, air, or CO.sub.2. Suitable pressures range from about 25
to about 60 psi, and preferably from about 30 to about 50 psi.
[0025] It is an important aspect of the present invention that the
compressed gas is not what would normally be considered a
propellant, a volatilizable liquid, or a foam forming gas, or any
combination thereof. By the term "propellant", it is meant that the
gas in contact with the product is a volatile hydrocarbon such as
various alkanes, for example propane, isopropane, butane,
isobutene, or other volatile alkanes including various cyclic
alkanes. Moreover, chloro-fluoro hydrocarbons as well as various
fluoro-hydrocarbons are not utilized such as 1,1,1,2
tetrafluorethane (Dymel 134); 1,1,1,2,3,3,3 heptafluoropropane
(Dymel 227); 1,1, difluoro ethane (Dymel 152); or 1,1,1,2,2,2
hexafluoropropane. Such compounds are avoided because they are
generally in contact with the product and volatilized to the air.
Moreover, propellants can be flammable, toxic, and the like and
hence the present invention is substantially free thereof. Other
compounds that are avoided are volatilizable liquids that are
liquids under pressure, but upon being emitted from container 40 at
ambient pressure volatize. Examples of such gases include dimethyl
ether, propane, isobutane, and n-butane. Gases that form a foam
upon being emitted from dispenser 10 are also avoided by the
present invention because they can obscure instruments visually,
especially sharps. Also, upon breaking, the foams become liquid
that readily runs off of the surface of themedical article. The
foam can be formed either through trigger sprayers with a foaming
tip or through the use of aerosols and propellants. Examples of
gases that can form a foam include blend of propane and isobutane,
A-31, P-152a, nitrous oxide, and CO.sub.2.
[0026] The present invention is substantially free of the above
noted propellants, volatilizable liquid; or foam forming gases. By
the term "free thereof", it is meant that any such gases contained
within non-bag or internal area 47, if used, exist in very minute
amounts, for example about 5% or less, desirably about 3% or less,
and preferably about 1% or less based upon the total volume of
non-bag or internal volume 47. A highly preferred embodiment is
that non-bag or internal volume 47 contains no such gases
therein,
[0027] Another important aspect of the present invention is that
dispenser 10 is a non-aspirating dispenser. That is, they do not
utilize suction to take up various fluids, or air, and mix the same
with gel 50 of the present invention. Aspirators are avoided
because when utilized as in the medical field or industry, they can
draw in air that is contaminated and then dispense the same in
ejected material 26. Hence, viruses, bacteria, fungi, bodily fluids
and other harmful materials can be contained in sprayer ejected
material 26 that result in a harmful environment as in a sterile
room, an operating room, etc. and the like. Moreover, such
contaminated ejected material are generally in the form of small
droplets that are driftable in the air and can thus readily enter
adjacent rooms, areas, and the like and also contaminate the same.
By the term "non-aspirating dispenser", it is meant that flexible
bag 45 is under positive pressure due to the enclosed gas in the
non-bag or internal volume 47 area that dispenses the gel outward
under pressure with no flow back into the dispenser container due
to pressure differential between the dispenser container as
compared to the environment outside the dispenser container. In
other words, said pressure differential is always at least 2 psi
greater than the outside environment pressure during
dispensing.
[0028] Dispenser 10 of the present invention containing
non-aspirating nozzle 25 can be any conventional dispenser
container known to the art and to the literature such as those
manufactured by Ball, CCL Container, Crown, Exal, and actuators by
such manufacturers Aptar, Coster, Lindal Group, and Precision
Global.
[0029] Actuator portion 24 can be connected to dispenser container
40 in any conventional manner as known to the literature and to the
art. In the embodiment of the present invention, dispenser
container 40 is of a BOV, i.e. bag-on-valve, bottle, or container
wherein, as shown in FIG. 1, flexible bag 45 is located within
dispenser container 40. Bag 45 can be any conventional flexible
material such as various plastic and metalized films typically
laminated together for optimal barrier and compatibility
properties. Examples of suitable flexible laminate materials
include LLDPE/Nylon/Aluminum/Polyester, LLDPE/Polyester,
PP/Nylon/Aluminum/Polyester, and LLPE/Aluminum/Nylon. The volume of
bag 45 is generally from about 50 to about 90%, desirably from
about 60% to about 80%, and preferably from about 65% to about 75%
based upon the total volume of dispenser container 40. Thus, the
non-bag or internal volume 47 (i.e. pressurized gas volume) is the
remainder or difference, i.e. generally from about 10% to about
50%, desirably from about 20 to about 40%, and preferably from
about 25 to about 35%.
[0030] Gel material 50 is a thixotropic gel inasmuch as it is
generally a semi-solid at room temperature, but upon the
application of pressure thereto, flows like a liquid. The purpose
of the gel is to keep various medical instruments moist in order to
prevent soils from drying out, which can make reprocessing of
medical instruments more difficult and less effective. This
invention may be used at a point of use for transport or prior to
delayed reprocessing in a reprocessing area.
[0031] The type of gels utilized are those that contain one or more
thickening agents to help with dispensing and cling properties,
humectants to keep soils moist, corrosion inhibitors so that
extended contact with moisture does not promote corrosion of
instrumentation, surfactants to penetrate soils, sequestrants to
aid in anti-redeposition, and preservatives to prevent
contamination of the product and water. All of these compounds are
well known to the art and to the literature. Gels that can be used
include "Pre-Klenz", Instrument Transport Gel made by Steris
Corporation, and OptiPro Instrument Gel made by Ecolab. Other
examples of gel include cellulose, hydrophobically modified
cellulose, guar gum, quaternized guar gum, alginate, or cationated
alginate comprising calcium, magnesium, or sodium cations, or any
combination thereof.
[0032] An important aspect of the present invention, in order to
form proper size droplets of the gel once emitted from dispenser
10, is the viscosity thereof. Generally, the viscosity of the
thixotropic gel is less than about 2,000, desirably from about 100
to about 1,700, and preferably from about 150 to about 1,500
centipoise.
[0033] The operation of dispenser 10 is generally as follows. A
suitable amount of a particular type of gel, for example Pre-Klenz,
is added to flexible bag 45. Through valve 30, an eco-gas such as
air, etc., is added to dispenser container 40 with the eco-gas
generally being located in non-bag or interior area 47. As noted,
the amount of pressure therein can generally be from about 25 to
about 60 psi, and desirably from about 30 to about 50, dependent
upon the type of sprayer. Upon pressurizing interior area 47, valve
30 is closed to the bag. Dispenser 10 can be activated as by
pressing actuator 24, or another release mechanism, that through a
typical mechanical connection, opens valve 30 so that eco-gas 60
applies pressure to thixotropic gel 50 and forces the gel through
the non-aspirating sprayer and is ejected through nozzle 25 in the
form of ejected material 26 such as liquid droplets.
[0034] The size of the liquid droplets is another important aspect
of the present invention. If they are too small, droplets will tend
to drift, i.e. remain suspended in the air and could be diverted to
an undesirable area such as the sterile field within a surgical
suite or operating room. Thus, reduced drift potential is desired.
If too heavy, the droplets conglomerate and will not spray on the
instruments in fan spray pattern that gives adequate coverage but
as more of a stream. Desirably, the mean volume droplet diameter
ranges from about 80 to about 500, desirably from about 100 to
about 450, and preferably from about 150 to about 400 microns, with
about 250 microns being highly preferred. This droplet size can be
tested with a piece of equipment such as the Malvern Spraytec
Particle Size Analyzer, as per methods published by International
Standards Organization ISO 13320 (2009) Particle Size
Analysis-Laser Diffraction Methods. An ergonomic aspect of the
present invention is that once actuator 24 is pressed, it remains
open until released. Thus, a steady spray of droplets 26 of the
thixotropic gel are emitted from nozzle 25 in a non-aspiratable
form.
[0035] The non-aspirating dispenser of the present invention
suitable for keeping instruments moist, in order to prevent soils
thereon from drying out, that can make reprocessing of medical
instruments more difficult and less effective. These soils could
include blood, tissue, bodily fluids, mucus, feces, adipose tissue,
synovial fluid, or other soils associated with medical procedures.
In addition to surgical instruments such as forceps, hemostats,
clamps, scalpels, retractors, bone saws, chisels, cannulas,
curettes, osteotomes, rongeurs, other medical instruments such as
endoscopes (both rigid and flexible), or probes can also be coated
with the gel. The invention can be used at point of use for
transport or prior to delayed reprocessing in the reprocessing
area.
[0036] The following examples serve to explain the present
invention, while not limiting the scope thereof.
[0037] The can sizes can be from 25 mm to 65 mm in diameter, the
bag lengths from 50-240 mm in length, and from 79-120 mm in width
prior to filling. Bags are placed into the cans in a rolled
(flattened) state and as the bag fills with product bag rounds,
decreasing the width.
[0038] The can preferably can be a 7 oz. aluminum 53.times.200 mm
can, bag length 104 mm, bag width 97 mm or a 13.5 oz. aluminum
66.times.220 mm can, bag length 187 mm, bag width 124 mm with a 40
psi pressure and 70% fill volume. The bag material can be made of
polyester/aluminum/nylon/polypropylene.
[0039] A prior art trigger sprayer will dispense about 1 gram per
pull and about 1.1 grams per second average, not including priming.
The priming can take up to an average of 16 pulls of the trigger.
The present invention requires no priming and will dispense an
average of 5.4 grams per second, and will continue dispensing until
the pressure is exhausted from the actuator. In addition the
droplet size is 250 microns (mean diameter based on volume
distribution).
[0040] While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, the best mode
and preferred embodiments have been set forth, the scope of the
invention is not limited thereto, but rather, by the scope of the
attached claims.
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